subnautica | [Closed]

[Having been convinced that the Promised Day isn't happening without him, Al is finally more relaxed about exploring the base. It doesn't mean he's not still determined to get home as soon as possible, but he's not going to ignore the amazing opportunity this is in the meantime.

The voice draws his attention and he peers over her shoulder at the blueprints, already interested.]

What are you trying to do?

[Also HI.]

[ Ed is still more wary of this place than he should be, but he can't help it. It doesn't feel right, and though he's been assured things won't progress without them back home, it's still strange.

And much like his little brother, he's very nosy! So he comes around Korra's other shoulder, inspecting the blue prints. ]

Looks pretty complex, are you building something?

[The moment Al speaks up, Korra's scrambling to her feet and shifting into a fighting stance. The surprise in her eyes turns into sheepishness once she realizes who's standing behind her, though.]

Sort of. I'm making this island. [Her hands, originally raised to defend herself, spread out to indicate the land around them.] Annabeth's the one who cam up with the designs, though--I'm just helping her out with this part of it.

[She smiles, looking between the two of them before finally settling her attention on Ed.] So, I've met Alphonse already. Are you a friend of his?

This is my brother, Ed.

[He's only half interested in introductions, however, because what she's doing sounds fascinating. She's building a whole island?! Even with alchemy, that would be a feat of magnificence.]

That sounds amazing, but you sounded like you were having problems with it? Is there anything we can do to help? It's got to be better than just wandering around aimlessly.

Oh, yeah I'm his older brother, Ed. Nice to meet you.

[ He's heard a little about Korra, anyway. This place and the people they meet are fascinating! He glances at the plans again, eyes widening. ]

A whole island? Al's right, we might be able to help you. We could get a foundation at least, that's half the battle. What were you thinking?

I'm Korra. Nice to meet you, Ed.

Anyway...it's not the land part that's the problem. Most of that's done already. It's the lakes I'm having trouble with. [She shows them the blueprints, pointing at the two lakes drawn into the island.]

They're supposed to be filled with freshwater, but all we have is a bunch of salt water around us. Whatever they use for filtering the drinking water down in the base can't do it on this scale either. [She sighs, then looks between the brothers somewhat hopefully.] You wouldn't happen to have any ideas, would you?

Of course!

[He practically lights up with enthusiasm. The idea of being able to help out around here and make life easier for the others trapped along with them is just what he needs, it's a way to not feel useless while they're trying to get home.]

It's a simple alchemical process, we just need to use the right transmutation to separate the salt from the water, Brother and I could do that easily.

[ It does feel nice, having a little bit of purpose, a little bit of drive. He'd go crazy if he didn't have something to do while being trapped here. He looks over the blueprints a few seconds long before nodding. ]

Yeah, between Al and I, we could probably do it. We could even re-purpose the salt we get from the water, too. What do you think, Al? Shouldn't be that hard, but we might want to practice, first. [ It's not a difficult task, but it's a little different from what they likely use their alchemy for. ]

We'd love to help.

[At first she just looks at them with a hint of disbelief, like she can't believe what she's hearing. Then, her eyes light up when she realizes they're actually serious.]

Really? You guys can do this with...uh, alchemical processes? [She stumbles a little over the unfamiliar term.] How does it work?

[He knew Ed would want to help too, and he feels the familiar thrill in his gut of being on a project with his brother. But how to explain alchemy? Everyone in Amestris at least knew what it was.]

We'll examine the water and a sample of freshwater to determine the different chemical make up of them both, and then use what already exists in the salt water to turn it into fresh water, which will leave the rest of the components separate. It's equivalent exchange, a transformation of one thing into another without taking or giving back more than is already there.

[ There's a thrill of excitement that zips through Ed. He loves explaining alchemy, and loves being able to help others with it. He listens to his brother's explanation and grins. ]

So, it shouldn't be that hard at all, really. Water's not all that complex, after all. [ He nods, giving a shrug. ] We'd love to help. Better than sitting around, huh, Al?

[Though, some of the terms fly right over her head, Korra understands the important parts--at least in her mind. She beams at them both.]

You guys are the best--seriously. So you just need freshwater samples, right? That's pretty easy to get from the base. I can grab some now--be right back!

[Aaand before they can object, she's already running off and diving into the water toward the base.]

Wait, we can--!

[Nope, okay, she's already gone.

He chuckles quietly, tilting his head down to look at his brother.]

I guess we happened along at the right moment, huh? She seems pretty excited.

Yeah, I guess we did.

[ He laughs a little, rubbing the back of his head as he watches the girl run off. ] Glad we can help though, makes the time pass a little easier, huh?

[ He grins brightly, looking back to the blueprints she's made. ] We might be able to help with more stuff like this, though, Al. But I want to know how they managed to make the islands, too. The technology here is amazing!

[Thankfully, with all the running around she's had to do while helping with the project, Korra's managed to memorize a good chunk of the base's layout. It doesn't take her long to retrieve one of the water bottles from the filter and make her way back.]

Got the fresh water. [As she jogs back over to them, she bends the water out of her hair and clothes, flicking the moister away almost absentmindedly.] So, how does this work?

[He nudges Ed's shoulder happily, excited about the prospect of doing something to really help.]

Well, first we need a sample of the salt water too so we can compare the two. Then, when we've worked out the exact chemical composition of both, it'll be easy to transmute one into another.

Yeah, once we know the quantity of the chemicals in each sample, it will be pretty easy to manipulate. It's just about equivalent exchange, and if you know the properties then it's simple!

[ He grins broadly and shrugs. He holds up his hand, the metal visible without his glove on. ] See, I know the composition of this metal, so I can re-arrange it. [ He claps his hands together and touches his automail hand, the fingers turning into little vague metal figures of each of them, almost cartoonish in their design. He wiggles his fingers for emphasis. ] See?

[Fascinated and beyond curious, Korra reaches out and lightly touches her fingers to Ed's metal hand. It's cool and solid against her skin.]

That's amazing! It sounded so complicated when you explained it earlier, but you changed it so quickly.

[Something in her excitement shifts just then, and she glances between Ed's metal arm and Al's armor suit with a puzzled gaze. She hadn't expected the metal limb, nor had she expected the suit when she first saw Al. Maybe it's just something between the brothers?]

[Al laughs softly when Ed transmutes his hand, it's exactly the sort of dumb thing that he would do.]

Hey, brother, you ought to be more careful. Winry isn't here to fix you up if you break your arm, you know?

[Plus, she would punch him if she knew he was transmuting her precious design.]

It's easy to transmute quickly once you know what you're working with, it just might take a while at first for us to figure it out. Could you take us to where it needs to be? We can work on the samples on the way.

I won't break it with alchemy, Al!

[ He snorts a little and with another ringing clap of his hands and a little alchemy, his fingers take their original shape. ]

It's pretty cool, huh? [ He grins at Korra, giving a shrug. ] It's not that complicated once you wrap your head around it, really. But Al's right, show us where we need to help with the water! Shouldn't be too hard to figure out!

This way. [Turning on her heels, Korra jogs toward the closer lake site--Lake Athena, if she remembers correctly.

As she does so, Korra tosses the water bottle toward Ed.] Catch.

There's supposed to be two lakes on this place, so.. once we now what to do with one of them, the other should be pretty easy, right?

[Al isn't so sure that Ed won't break his arm, he does it so regularly, but he'll keep it to himself now. They have a way to help, he'd rather this didn't devolve into bickering so soon.]

That's right, once we have the principle of the transmutation sorted, then it's easy to figure out what to do from there on a larger scale.

[He keeps pace easily, feet clanking loudly on the floor.]

We've worked with water before, making ice and steam, so it shouldn't be too hard to do.

Yeah, it shouldn't be too hard!

[ Ed doesn't even think twice about transmutations like that, but he really should, now that they're so far from Winry. Any damage to his automail could be critical, as he's not sure there's anyone who might be able to help.

He catches the bottle with ease and looks it over for any labeling first before he passes it to Al. ] Shouldn't be too hard at all. Once we figure how concentrated the salt is in the natural water here we can redistribute it. Maybe make salt cubes!

[ Ed, please, like the place needs anything like that. He's more likely to make a salt sculpture. ]

[After seeing how effortless Ed had transformed his metal hand, Korra could believe them. She smiles at the brothers, interest still bubbling inside her.]

Can't wait to see it. It's been fun, seeing how everyone's powers work here.

[It was one of the highlights of being stuck here, for sure. As they near the lake site, Korra comes to a stop.]

Here it is. I've already dug the lakebed out--all we need is the water now.

Salt cubes would be a great idea!

[And Al is encouraging as always, because both Elrics are idiots.]

We could transport them back to the base and use them to help preserve food, keep the walkways steady if the heating ever fails-- all sorts of things.

[He glances down at the lakebed, then at Korra, before he just jogs off towards the edge of the island to get a sample of saltwater.]

Why don't you sit down? This might take a little while.

[ Ed follows after his brother, looking over his shoulder at Korra. ]

Once we figure it out, should be easy! You've done a lot of the hard work, after all. [ He nods and looks back to the lakebed, dipping down at Al's side to touch the water with his flesh hand. ]

It's pretty salty, I can feel the residue, it doesn't feel like normal water. We've got out work cut out for us, huh?

[Fascinated as she is by the idea of alchemy, Korra simply drops to the ground, sitting cross-legged as she watches them.]

If we end up with a ton of salt cubes, we can save some of them for the base kitchen and then just put the rest back in the water.

[She eyes Ed with interest.] What do you mean it's not like normal water?

You're right, I had no idea that ocean water was like this.

[Ed and Al are from a landlocked nation, this is the first time they've had to deal with salt water.]

Try drawing the salt out of it, and I'll try and put it into the freshwater. Once we get the amount of salt in the freshwater to give it the same residue, then we'll know how much needs to be taken out of the salt water, okay?

I don't know, it just feels different. I know how fresh water feels, what it's like to transmute it, but this is different!

[ He's fascinated, and he can't help himself. But he nods, considering his brother a moment before he claps his hands together and touches the water. It's a small amount, and he's careful to turn it into steam, trying to cook the salt out of the water, essentially. Ed's hair starts to go frizzy as the steam rises into his face. ]

I don't know if that was the best way to do that or not... [ He makes a face, but there is some salt residue left behind! ]

[She leans forward, intrigued with the entire process. Though Ed had been extremely quick with changing his arm earlier, the back and forth between the brothers indicates how complicated transmutation actually is.]

This is your first time seeing salt water? [There's a wry twist to her lips now.] And you ended up here, right in a base that's submerged in the ocean all the time.

[Al can't help but laugh as Ed basically cooks himself.]

Maybe it's not the most elegant, but it's definitely worked. Look, Brother, the salt has been left behind. Maybe if we freeze it then we can get the salt out in the same way? Heating it is no good, we lose so much of the water to get the salt out.

[He thinks and then claps his hands together, transmutation singing, and tries to transmute the salt within the water directly to turn it into a visible pillar, replying to Korra over his shoulder as he does.]

It's pretty amazing, our country is landlocked so we've never been to a coast before. I never imagined the ocean would be so large.

[ Ed makes a face as Al laughs. Hey, he tried! ]

Yeah the ocean is huge. I've only read about them in books. It's pretty weird to see so much water around.

[ He shrugs and watches his brother curiously. ] You think you can isolate the salt from the water that way? [ He's intrigued though and turns to do another transmutation on some of the water, attempting to mimic his brother's experiment. ] How long have you been here, Korra?

About a month. There's some people here who've been here for way longer.

[With her trying to follow the brothers' discussion on transmutation as best as she can, Korra's suddenly struck with an idea.]

You're having trouble keeping the water here after you separate it from the salt, right? What if... [She tilts her head, mouth pursed.] We work together? You guys can get the salt out, and I can keep the water from escaping.

Yeah, I think that might work, but-- wait, how could you keep the water from escaping, exactly?

[What she can do is still somewhat of a mystery to Al. But if she can keep the water from evaporating when they steam the heat out of it, then they might just be onto a winning formula.]

Do you use a different kind of alchemy? Or-- wait, I know there's other powers now, though it's still so strange to think about. Magic isn't real at all where we come from.

[In fact, the very idea of it was disturbing. It violates equivalent exchange in a big way.]

[ It's taken a lot not to scoff at the idea of magic and its very real existence here. Everything in him wants to refute it with science, and yet it doesn't always work out. ]

Yeah, if you can trap it then I think we could probably get the salt out of it, maybe it use it somewhere else!

[ He nods and looks to his brother briefly at the mention of magic and alchemy. ] It's all pretty new to us, still. I guess it'll just take time to really make sense of some of it, huh, Al?

It's called "bending" where I'm from, but I guess some people here would call it magic. Anyway, the important thing here is that I'm a waterbender.

[Happy to have something to do, Korra hops to her feet eagerly.]

Alright, let's give this a try. Ready when you two are.

Mm, ready!

[He's completely with Ed that this is going to take them a long time to get used to. The idea of magic is so at odds with everything they know, it will take a while to reconcile it with waiting for an exchange price.

He takes a ready stance and, when Korra begins to waterbend, he claps his hands together to form the circle and then begins transmuting. Slowly, though faster as he gets the hang of it, salt begins to stream out of the water and form a neat little pile on the sand.]

[ Bending sounds fascinating, and he has a thousand questions. It could be too much like magic, but it almost seems like alchemy, in a way. Elemental alchemy, somewhat similar to the Colonel or a few of the rogue alchemists they'd caught along the way.

But he stands opposite his brother and claps his hands in time, exhilarated by the challenge this poses. The mass of water is amazing, though, and he begins his transmutation as well, doubling the salt that falls out of it. ] It's working!

[As the brothers split the salt from water, Korra concentrates on pulling the water from the air and toward her. The water bubble grows and grows, forcing Korra to take a few steps back.

After a while, she feels the first tug of fatigue--while she's a powerful bender in her own right, she doesn't have the Avatar State as a backup at the moment. Exhaling slowly, Korra keeps quiet, focusing on the job at hand.]

[Al is absolutely invigorated.

He always loves performing alchemy, even when it's a transmutation that's simple or been done a hundred times before, but now with the added challenge and the amazing difference of bending added to the equation it's so much better.

It's nearly forty minutes later when the last of the salt trickles out into quite a large mound on the ground beside him, with Ed having a similar mound at his side of the giant bubble.]

Okay! I think you can put it in the lake now.

[Closed]

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I'm so sorry about the wait

<33

sorry about the wait on my end.

<33!

never be sorry <3

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